Source
r/DnD•
eklu

What do PCs spend their gold on? (3.5)

3.5 Edition

I'm a relatively new DM for a couple of people playing 3.5, and they're starting to rack up some gold. When they asked me what they could spend it on, I didn't quite know how to answer them. Do I just show them the tables of loot from places like http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Wondrous_Items and tell them to go wild? Or is there a specific way I'm supposed to offer them choices? Thanks for your help with a probably dumb question. I'm new at this.

Posted Sep 9, 2014, 7:12 AM UTC

118
Hallalala•

First of all, never ever use dandwiki, it's filled with inaccuracies, misinformation, and homebrew that's indistinguishable from official material. d20srd.org is the place to get your core rules references, or go to dndtools.eu for everything else, as both of those will only contain official, up to date WotC material.

With that said, just let them buy magic items, subject to the community's 'GP limit' stat detailed in Table 5-2: Random Town Generation on page 137 of the DMG. See the section at the top of the right hand of that page, labeled Community Wealth and Population for more details on that.

For what to buy, in the lower levels everyone should try to pick up a healing belt and an anklet of translocation in the Magic Item Compendium. From there check the list of Necessary Magic Items, Shax's Indispensable Haversack, and Bunko's Bargain Basement for additional items.

For item recommendations for a particular type of character, just google '(class/role) handbook' and follow results at brilliantgameologists, minmaxboards, and giantitp, never ever click a dandwiki link again. For example, if you want to know what to get an archer, google '3.5 archery handbook' and the top three results are all three the same guide, posted in three different places. Just pick the most recent one and scroll down to the equipment section.

5
NineBlack•

OP listen to this man he speaks truth.

2
cmv_lawyerAssassin•

OP, listen to this man, he bolsters the man who speaks the truth.

1
BootaykickerDM•

This, but add some flair for your locations. In my world, different cities/towns/regions have entirely different styles to their weapons and armor, as well as access to magical enchantment. Think about where your players are, and what the culture of the area feels like.

For instance, if I had players wandering in a wasteland and trading with nomads, they probably wouldn't be able to find too many edged weapons or heavy armor since nomads move too often to support a forge. They would have plenty of skins and leather though.

2
ekluOP•

I mainly use dandwiki for monster stats. We've been using roll20 and I just copy and paste the table of stats into a field. The ones on d20srd don't paste quite as well. I HAVE noticed the large amount of homebrew. d20srd seems to be a lot faster, especially for searching. I try to avoid dndtools, simply because I'm trying to stick with the basic rulebooks. I just don't have the mental capacity to know what's in all 49 of the extra rulebooks. Is this something that I need to do as a DM? Looking at dndtools is a little bit like trying to sip from a fire hose.

I could definitely see myself taking from those links of magic items though. I'll have to seriously consider bringing in some stuff from other rulebooks...

Thanks for your help!

1
PSXHerald•

Better weapons and armour, and magic items.

2
ekluOP•

That's what I thought. Thanks!

1
Unjrah•

I mean.. yes. You COULD just show them the table, but that would be lazy DMing in my opinion. Try rolling for cool armors or trinkets in different stores(especially magic shops, just roll for a bunch of different magic items the guy might have). Technically... they could buy lots of other things though. Like helping support a small town or buying new recruits to help fight. The sky is the limit!

2
ekluOP•

I am somewhat of a lazy DM. I'll try to avoid just shoving the tables at them though ;) I'll have to keep that idea of supporting a small town or hiring henchmen. They aren't big on charity though (They staunchly refuse to do anything without the explicit guarantee of a reward)

1
FlyingMohawkDM•

Ale, cookies, magic items, horses, whores, armor, jail fees, a new wagon, paying the BBEG to not kill them..you know the usual!

2
[deleted]•

I would make a few various NPCs in whatever towns the players are in and give them an inventory with items that you would be willing to let your players use. Or what I like to do, have a blacksmith that can make any armor or weapon and have an enchanter that can do various enchantments that you'll allow. Have a sorcerer or wizard that can create wondrous things for them at a price.

1
ekluOP•

That'd be a good idea. Just showing them a couple of items rather than the whole table. I'll try that. What I've done so far is just shove tables at them and tell them to just go wild. I'll try just taking a few items and offering them. Thanks!

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
uncle_samuraiRogue•

Are they carrying this gold around? Seems cumbersome/dangerous. Invest in a base of operations to keep all of their treasures (in an awesome safe) and hire/recruit people to look after it. Start an adventuring company/guild.

1
ekluOP•

They have about 2000 gp each. That would start to weigh on them. It'd be a shame if a xorn or a rust monster got to them ;) I'll see if they have any interest in investing their gold. Thanks!

1
cmv_lawyerAssassin•

Hallalala's response is more complete, I just want to add something.

The MIC random loot tables are my favorite resource for discovering new items. 9/10 of all items in the system are listed in those tables, if you know what you want to spend and what slot you want to fill, you can find cool stuff there just by reading the names of the items and looking them up.

1
ekluOP•

MIC, I'll keep that in mind. I've used the random loot tables from the SRD, but I kept getting stuff like "Cloak of the Manta Ray", which my players hated me for. When I went looking through it, I didn't see all that many interesting items to me. Hopefully the MIC will have a more interesting selection. Thanks!

1
cmv_lawyerAssassin•

Don't be afraid to pre-roll the loot and hack it slightly to eliminate unrealistic (scrolls in a dragon's hoard, how would they not burn?) or useless items.

1
ekluOP•

I tried that, and i found way too many either that were either useless to my players or had too specific uses. I ended making up a few items.

1